Heading to the Boone, Blowing Rock area on 7/18. Any recommendations on local fishing and hatches? When I've been there before we came up to TN and floated the Watauga and SOHO but want to stay local this time.
Thanks, Ken

kflies, I used to live in downtown Boone. The Watauga is right outside your front door in Boone, but the DH has ended for the year. There is also some hatchery supported water that isn't worth the trouble in my opinion.

Your best bet is to pick up the parkway in blowing rock & head south west. You can be in prime Pisgah NF trout country in 30-45 minutes. My personal favorite was Lost Cove Creek. Its a steep little hike in, but it is C&R, fly only.

Thanks GK. What about Boone Fork and some of the tribs to Linville River?

I never visited the Boone fork, but the Foscoe Fishing Company is very close to that stream off hwy 105, they should be able to give you some info. I don't know much about the tribs to the Linville River.

Assuming Owl is talking about Elk Park, yes, there are some nice wild streams in the area.

Thanks GK. What about Boone Fork and some of the tribs to Linville River?

kflies, I had emailed my old employer in Boone asking him about the Boone Fork. His response was that it can be tough fishing during the summer months, mainly due to the fact that it is dammed up in many spots forming small ponds & Julian Price Lake. The water running out of those areas has a tendency to be a little warm for active trout in the summer.

Boone's Fork is a waste unless you push the limits and slip in near the private section that is maintained by a guiding outfit that has some tank pigs.

Like Jim said, fish the pisgah or small streams off parkway, expect low levels right now, we are in need of rain and thankfully getting it at the moment. All you need right now are elk hair caddis and stimis...if they spooky, drop a size and go ninja.

Maps? National Geographic has an awesome map labeled "Mt Mitchell/Linville Gorge" on the front but it covers most of the pisgah area outside of Boone with detailed hiking paths. The forestry service also just printed a new "wilson creek" area map that's pretty good.

Just hunt for wild streams, and ignore all hatchery streams right now...if stockers are your thing...